First MOT date extension to increase tyre-related road safety risk
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which represents more than 90,000 automotive professionals, has conducted in-depth analysis of MOT data to formulate what it calls a “considered and balanced response” to the Department for Transport’s MOT Consultation. Working with Garage Industry Trends to examine root causes in current patterns of MOT failure, the IMI analysis provides clear evidence that extending the date for the first MOT will significantly increase road user risk.
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Northern Ireland bans tyres aged 10 years plus on HGVs, buses and minibuses
Northern Ireland’s Vehicle Policy Unit at the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is banning tyres aged 10 years and older on the front axles of HGV’s, buses and coaches, and to the tyres on all axles of minibuses when fitted in single configuration. The changes being implemented in Northern Ireland will align with the changes introduced in Great Britain (GB) on 1 February 2021.
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Defra ends T8 exemption on mechanically treating end-of-life tyres
On 15 January 2018, The English Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government published a consultation on “proposals to tackle crime and poor performance in the waste sector and introduce a new fixed penalty for the waste duty of care”. That 2018 consultation focussed on the standard of operator competence at permitted waste sites and introduced a fixed penalty notice for breaches of the household waste duty of care. Fast-forward to 13 February 2023 and Defra has made changes to “the ten waste exemptions of most concern”, which includes “mechanically treating end-of-life tyres” (ELT) known as T8 exemptions.
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Support for used EV market should feature in Spring Budget – VRA
The Vehicle Remarketing Association believes there is an imbalance in government incentives between new and used electric vehicles. It says more needs to be done to ensure a healthy market for used models. The association is calling for this support to feature in the Spring Budget. VRA chair Philip Nothard said: “The government should be applauded for doing much in recent years to encourage uptake of new EVs, especially through low personal company car taxation. This has been notably successful and electric power now makes up a significant proportion of new car sales. However, the used car sector has so far been left to look after itself when it comes to EVs and, as shown with dramatic price falls in recent weeks and months, demand is extremely variable even for the relatively low numbers of electric cars now making their way onto the used market.”
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DfT extends 4-1-1 MOT consultation following trade body campaign
Campaigning by automotive industry trade bodies has led to the Department for Transport (DfT) to extending the current 4-1-1 MOT consultation’s closing date to 22 March 2023.
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Petition opened to stop first MOT extension
A petition has been launched by automotive trade bodies to stop the Government’s plans to extend the period before a vehicle has its first MOT, in order to reduce preventable casualties and deaths caused by vehicle defects. The petition states: The Government has proposed extending the period before a vehicle has to have its first MOT from 3 years to 4. We believe this will be dangerous, expensive, damaging and unnecessary.
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Extending first MOT deadline ‘will increase defective vehicles, tyres’ – TyreSafe
Road safety charity TyreSafe has joined a growing chorus of automotive industry opposition to the latest proposal to extend the intervals of the MOT test. The organisation, which has members from all spheres of the UK tyre business sector as well as councils and emergency services, said that plans to require a first MOT after four rather than three years would increase the number of defective tyres and vehicles on the country’s roads. It explained that while new vehicles are often safer than ever, the advanced safety systems they incorporate often rely on the roadworthiness of tyres. Research by TyreSafe and its members suggests that putting more responsibility for ensuring tyres’ roadworthiness on UK motorists could lead to illegal and unsafe tyres remaining fitted to vehicles for longer, as many motorists do not check their tyres frequently enough.
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NFDA hosts industry get-together
On Tuesday 17 January, the evening of the NFDA Executive Meeting, NFDA brought together franchised dealer members, MPs, and Lords to the House of Lords to discuss the significance of the automotive retail sector, in addition to some of the pertinent issues the sector is facing.
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NFDA ‘disappointed’ at Government ULEZ decision
Government has announced their decision to expand London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) to cover the whole of London and from 29 August 2023, drivers will be expected to pay £12.50 a day to enter this boundary.
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Autumn Statement – NFDA “concerned” at possible electrification setback
The Autumn Budget offers a balance of positive infrastructure measures and concerns over the support of car parc electrification, according to Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA). A variety of measures affecting the British automotive industry were set out in the Thursday 17 November Autumn Statement by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt. As a whole, the Autumn budget announced today promises growth and investment that the UK so desperately needs, Robinson said. Whilst there are positive notions in areas such as business rates and infrastructure investment, NFDA is concerned that the removal of tax exemption for EV owners could set back the objective of electrification and increasing the number of electric vehicles sold in the UK, in a bid to reach the ever-challenging 2030 targets.
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ETRMA supports “holistic approach” to tyre-inclusive Euro 7 proposals
The ETRMA has spoken in support of the European Union’s (EU) goal of delivering cleaner mobility via its recently proposed Euro 7 emissions rules. However, the association which represents tyre manufacturers across Europe, also suggested that future rules on tyres should be based on “robust scientific evidence of their real-world impact on emissions”. Specifically, ETRMA supports the use of a UN-validated test method, which is currently being developed, to establish future EU tyre abrasion limits.
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Proposed Euro 7 standards include tyre and brake particle emissions
The European Commission published details of the new Euro 7 standards on 10 November 2022. According to the commission, Euro 7 will “ensure cleaner vehicles on our roads and improved air quality, protecting the health of our citizens and the environment.” The transport industry has become familiar with the increasingly demanding Euro series of standards over the years. Up till now, they have focused on vehicle exhaust emissions, something that tyres can only indirectly affect through reduced rolling resistance and its impact on fuel consumption and therefore emissions. This time round however, Euro 7 brings with it standards relating to particle emissions from tyres and brakes.
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PRA urges Chancellor to maintain fuel duty cut
On 8 November, the Petrol Retailers Association wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, regarding the 5p per litre fuel duty cut introduced in March. Gordon Balmer, executive director of the PRA, said: “Skyrocketing energy prices have had a devastating impact on household finances. When every penny counts, it is crucial that the 5ppl fuel duty cut introduced in March of is maintained.
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